Hodgson, Ebbing Each Score Twice in a.m. Win at Wheeling, 5-1

Reading, PA - Hayden Hodgson scored twice Thomas Ebbing set a career high with four points (2g) and the Reading Royals rolled to a 5-1 win at the Wheeling Nailers Tuesday at Wesbanco Arena. Reading trails Newfoundland by three points for first place in the North Division and boasts a nine-point edge on Brampton for the second seed. The Royals have 37 wins through 60 games, the fifth time in team history Reading has at least 37 wins in that span. Felix SandstrÃ¶m blocked 17 shots in victory.

Hodgson started the scoring at 4:01 of the first on a breakaway and Reading never trailed. He then scored the Royals' fourth goal on a snipe from the right-wing circle that eluded Emil Larmi's glove (loss, 33 saves) in the final five minutes of the second.

In addition to Hodgson's opening goal, the Royals scored in the first with an Ebbing slam to take an 18-5 shots edge and 2-0 score into first break. Former Nailers defenseman Aaron Titcomb assisted on both goals. On the second strike, Titcomb fed Garrett Cecere at left point. Cecere's shot went off the right pad of Larmi and straight to Ebbing for the goal at left post.

Rob Michel recorded his team-defensemen-leading eighth of the campaign at 2:10 of the 2nd, assisted by Matthew Strome and David Drake. A minute after the Nailers made it a 3-1 score on Carlos Fornaris' first pro goal, Hodgson scored his second to restore a three-goal advantage.

Reading is home for its first-ever "Green Ice Weekend" Mar. 13-14 with multiple chances to win luxury prizes ($10,000 Friday, Jeep Compass Limited Saturday pres. by Savage Auto Group) if a fan can guess which Royals player will record a hat trick. Reading will wear special theme jerseys on both nights. Grab $1 green beers and $1 domestics on Friday and giveaways both nights (Deibler Dental Coaster on Friday, BSOHA Puck on Saturday).

Hodgson the a.m. specialist

Hayden Hodgson scored twice in the opening two periods, continuing his run of morning-game excellence. He scored twice in two periods Nov. 13 at Worcester, his first career multi-goal game. Hodgson exited during the second period of that game. With the two early goals in this game, it meant Hodgson scored four times in the first four frames of his morning games.

The native of Leamington, ON has a career high 12 goals and 20 points this season.

Ebbing and the depth

Signed by Reading in November, forward Thomas Ebbing has scored 12 goals and 26 points in 46 games this season, one of nine Royals with more than ten goals.

On his first-frame strike, the pivot set up net front and slammed it off a save from Larmi. He has scored in consecutive series games against Wheeling.

He scored his second goal with a swoop net front after turning the corner at the bottom of the right circle. He skied the puck in from the right doorstep.

Loving the coffee

Reading finished 3-0-0-0 in morning games this season, their first "perfect" season record in a.m. contests in the Kirk MacDonald era.

11-in-19

The Royals completed a stretch of 11 games in 19 days Tuesday, their busiest three-week stretch of the season, with a 7-3-0-1 mark. Over the 11 games, the Royals received a number of notable newcomers, including netminder Tom McCollum and forward Lewis Zerter-Gossage.

If a Royals player records a hat trick at the game, one fan will win $10,000 | Special Theme Jersey | Green Ice for the First Time in Royals History | Mental Health Awareness Night | College ID Night: $5 tickets with valid college ID at box office| $1 Green Beer and $1 Domestic Beers | Deibler Dental Royals and Flyers Alumni Coaster Set Giveaway